NYC dog trainer caught on video kicking, whipping pups still in business, neighbors say: 'He's fully abusing dogs'
A dog trainer running an illegal animal boarding outfit out of his Brooklyn apartment continues to operate even after graphic videos showing him allegedly abusing canines surfaced on social media, neighbors say.
More than 30 horrific animal abuse complaints, including two dozen calls to 311 this month alone, have been leveled against Corey Harden alleging the Flatbush-based dog trainer has pummeled several pups — even leaving some out in the freezing cold or extreme heat for lengthy periods of time.
The complaints first started to surface five years ago, according to city 311 records.
But neighbors told The Post Harden’s unlicensed operation is still running with violent videos — that have since been turned over to police — posted earlier this month to the NextDoor app appearing to show him whipping and kicking several dogs in the face.
“He’s fully abusing dogs in their most vulnerable position,” claimed one former client, whose dog was one of the alleged victims. “He was absolutely petrified … trying to get away, submissively lies down and then gets beaten.”
Harden “is like a cop in a correctional facility who is abusing his power,” the dog owner, who declined to provide her name for fear of retaliation, added.
A city Department of Health rep said the agency is investigating Harden and confirmed there is no permit to train or board animals registered at his address, where he is apparently living rent-free after the actual lease holder moved out months ago, the landlord alleged in eviction filings last year.
Boarding animals in a New York City residence is illegal but dog trainers in the Big Apple do not require certification.
The dog owner said the on-camera attack has instilled in her a permanent sense of distrust in trainers.
“You worry is there anyone you can still trust to look after your dog,” the Brooklyn resident said, “and why isn’t there more that can be done to stop people like that?”
The NYPD told The Post there are no open reports of animal abuse for Harden’s apartment, meaning the 30 complaints logged have been closed. And law enforcement sources say animal cruelty cops have shown up to the Martense Street apartment several times, but found no evidence of any dogs or animal abuse.
But a Post analysis of 311 calls about Harden’s home found that several were closed by the NYPD within minutes – and in one instance, the NYPD claims reports of neglect don’t fall under the agency’s jurisdiction, despite the department boasting its own Animal Cruelty Investigation Squad.
During four other police visits to the apartment, officers couldn’t gain entry to the premises and left without speaking to Harden, 311 records show.
Multiple attempts by The Post to reach Harden were unsuccessful.
“He’s not going to be abusing the dogs in front of the police, so it is kind of pointless [to report],” said concerned Brooklynite Sharon, who did not provide her last name, after discovering the videos on NextDoor.
Harden does have an online presence, including a website offering his services.
“There are videos of him clearly beating dogs outside in his yard area,” one outraged person recently wrote in one of many negative reviews on Harden’s Yelp profile. “God knows what he does behind closed doors.”
According to a 2023 Yelp review, Harden whipped, beat and kicked dogs, used electric shock collars at high settings and left pups outside in the heat with no clean water.
“The dogs in his care look terrified and exhibit constant anxiety, which he is not skilled to handle,” the reviewer wrote. “He is the exact reason dog training needs regulation.”
Another Yelp user claimed in a scathing 2021 review — the negative comments began in 2019 — that Harden struck her dog so hard, she had to take it to the hospital.
“We had to rush him to a hospital, since he injured his eye very badly,” the review reads. “Corey promised that he will take care of all the hospital costs. After sending him the bill, he told us that he is willing to pay 1/4 of the amount … haven’t heard from him since.”
The slew of 311 reports dating back years – and lack of evidence found by NYPD during their site visits – is reminiscent of the South Slope-based dog walker and boarder, who is still operating despite three dogs being killed by other mutts in her care, the owners of the dead pooches told The Post.
Sharon, who is leading a grassroots effort with other neighbors to bring Harden to justice, said she is now trying to call more attention to the case — by contacting other city agencies, including Parks and Recreation.
This comes after she shared videos of the alleged assault on multiple dogs with the NYPD earlier this month – and says nothing has been done.
Yelp has also since hidden disgruntled video watchers’ horrified comments, The Post confirmed, which further hides the allegations from future clients, Sharon said.
“The cops are a thousand percent aware of the situation,” she said. “The only thing we can do right now is just make other people aware.”